Diamond Deck Comes Up Trumps
24 September 2007
Diamond Deck (Octagonal x Miss Trump) burst through with a commanding performance in the Group 3 Highview Stakes (1200m) at Hastings on Saturday to win the first leg of the prestigious New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series.
Finishing one-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of her nearest rival - the previously unbeaten filly Special Mission (Towkay x Te Akau Trek) - Diamond Deck secures the early lead in the Series with the first six points on the leaderboard. The Karreman Bloodstock bred and owned filly performed to the standard her blue-blood pedigree would suggest she's capable of, being a�three-quarter-sister to outstanding gallopers Lonhro and Niello.
Trained by Robert Priscott and ridden by Michael Coleman Diamond Deck gave reigning Mercedes Owner of the Year Dick Karreman his second win of the day. Then, two races later, his star mare Seachange took out the Group 1 Stoney Bridge Stakes to complete a hat-trick of wins for Karreman from just three starters at Hastings.
In the first start of her three-year-old season, and fifth race-day start, Diamond Deck's win adds to her three stakes-placings as a two-year-old. Her trip to the Brisbane Winter Carnival saw her bring home a second placing in the Group 2 QTC Sires Produce and third in the Group 2 BTC Champagne Classic. She will continue along her path towards the premier fillies' races in New Zealand including the Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock One Thousand Guineas and the Group 1 Gillies Group New Zealand Oaks.
Securing three points for second placing was dual Listed race winner Special Mission under Reese Jones for trainer, Mark Walker.
Lisa Cropp rode the Jim Collett trained Royal Taat (Faltaat x Royal Wink) for third to secure one-and-a-half points on the board. Riverview Farms purchased the filly at the 2006 Karaka Festival Sale for NZ$15,000 from JK Farm.
The NZ$55,000 Listed Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie next Saturday will provide the next instalment in the ten-race New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series.